James Bilbray (born May 19, 1938) is a U.S. Democratic politician, who was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995. Bilbray was born 1938 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from Las Vegas High School and University of Nevada, Las Vegas during 1959-1960. He earned a BA and law degree from American University, Washington, D.C. in 1962 and 1965, respectively.
Bilbrary was in the Nevada Army National Guard during 1955-1956 and the Reserve after that. He practiced law and was deputy district attorney of Clark County, Nevada, during 1965-1967. He was chief legal counsel juvenile court, Clark County, 1967-1968, alternate judge, city of Las Vegas, 1978-1980, and was elected to the Nevada Senate and served during 1981-1987. As a State Senator, he was chairman of the Taxation Committee and was a member of the Judiciary Committee.
Bilbray was elected to the 100th Congress in 1986 and served during 1987-1995. He lost his bid for relection in 1996. While in Congress he was Chairman of the Small Business Sub-Committee on Taxation, Tourism and Procurement, and was a member of the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Intelligence Committees.
After losing his bid for reelection in 1996, Bilbray began practicing law again. He specializes in government issues. Bilbray resides in Las Vegas and is a cousin of Republican Brian Bilbray, a current member of Congress.
